Mary, Lady Chudleigh, "To the Ladies"

Wife and Servant are the same,
But only differ in the Name:
For when that fatal Knot is ty’d,
Which nothing, nothing can divide:
When she the word obey has said, [5]
And Man by Law supreme has made,
Then all that’s kind is laid aside,
And nothing left but State and Pride:	state = social rank
Fierce as an Eastern Prince he grows,
And all his innate Rigor shows: [10]
Then but to look, to laugh, or speak,
Will the Nuptial Contract break.	nuptial = related to marriage
Like Mutes she Signs alone must make,
And never any Freedom take:
But still be govern’d by a Nod, [15]
And fear her Husband as her God:
Him still must serve, him still obey,	i.e., she still must serve and obey him
And nothing act, and nothing say,
But what her haughty Lord thinks fit,	haughty = dignified
Who with the Pow’r, has all the Wit. [20]
Then shun, oh! shun that wretched State,	state = condition, situation
And all the fawning Flatt’rers hate:
Value your selves, and Men despise,
You must be proud, if you’ll be wise.

To the Ladies